(Arnolds Park)– The Arnolds Park City council voted not to change the name of Lake Street near the Arnolds Park Amusement Park last night. Last month a group had requested the two-block jog running from Highway 71 to the State Pier be renamed “Captain Steve Kennedy Boulevard” or some similar name to honor the founder of the Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum. The issue was tabled until all five councilmembers were present. Last night the issue was reintroduced and 4 of the councilmembers voted not to change the street. Only councilman Jim Jensen voted in favor of the name-change.
Steve Anderson, who was hired as director of the Maritime Museum after Kennedy’s death, said he thought it would be a fitting honor for a man who gave selflessly in building the museum, starting the Queen 2 excursion boat, and helping to save the park itself from the wrecking ball several years ago.
Councilmember Sue Munsen said she agreed Steve Kennedy did a lot for the community, but that many others have also contributed over the years and, in her words, “We can thank everybody, but we can’t re-name a street after everybody.”
Councilmember Jim Jensen said he’s been on the Arnolds Park city council for 30 years and its the first time he can remember hearing a request for a name change and was not afraid it would create a flood of similar requests.
One idea floated at the meeting last evening was to allow people to bid for the right to re-name the street and to donate the proceeds toward the current fundraiser that’s underway to retire the debt incurred when the amusement park was purchased by a non-profit entity.
